A comparative farm level cultivation of conventional and BT cotton

Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LV-2012Written by Sajjad A. MUHAMMAD

Pakistan is an agricultural country whereas cotton crop is the main cash crop. The crop has been problematic due to a multitude of pests incurring a large proportion of pesticide consumption in the country. Bt cotton although being cultivated in Pakistan for many years has been formally commercialized recently. The farmers’ false perception about control of all insect pests as well as a boost in yield favoured the rapid adoption of this technology. There is a need to establish a comparative quantified economic advantage from this technology.The present study gives an overview of pesticide consumption, yield increase and monetary benefits in conventional and Bt cotton on per acre basis.